Talk Talk: Live at Montreux 1986

I've been reviewing concerts for magazines around the world for decades. I've been to literally several hundred concerts, and probably own in the region of 500 music DVDs. I've even seen Talk Talk a couple of times back home in England. This concert does not have the best stage set. It doesn't have the best light show - actually it doesn't really have one. It's not in HD. Some of the camera angles and shots aren't the best. The sound isn't top notch. And yet, this is undoubtedly in my top 10 live music DVDs of all time.If you're a Talk Talk fan, you likely already own this. If you're not, this is a sadly too short concert of a band in full flow. I'd argue this isn't Talk Talk at its creative peak, and the players individually aren't in the 'virtuoso' vein, but sometimes bands simply have one of those nights where it all comes together. This is one of those nights. The playing is good, the togetherness is obvious and the quality of the songs is exceptional.It fits neatly into the 80s pop, almost prog vein, with hairstyles to match. The music, however, is timeless. Talk Talk is great in the studio. This live DVD takes it to a different level. Duran Duran might be an easy comparison, but they never left it out there like this.It's pointless picking out individual tracks as it's strong from start to finish but, as an example, Life's What You Make It, a minor hit in the UK, is a great song. This version more than grooves, the thumping bass, incessant percussion and drums, and Hollis' urgent voice combine to put the band - and the viewer - in the zone where time stands still and you're lost in the music. This cooks. The whole DVD is of similar quality. The only 'complaint' is that, on a song such as this, they could have gone into an extended jam and kept this going for 10 minutes. That they don't simply leaves a desire for more, and each individual performance is impeccable. It's difficult to know who is more wiped at the end of the show - the band or the audience. It's intense, it's got groove, it's about as close to a perfect concert performance as is possible.There are many great DVDs out there, but this simply leaves you spellbound and emotionally spent. That Mark Hollis hasn't recorded in years makes this even more of a gem, and even more essential viewing.Talk Talk fans need no convincing. However, they need to show this DVD to someone who has never heard of the band, or knows the name but not the discography, and simply watch with smug satisfaction as the silence descends and the attention focuses solely on something very, very special.Every home should have one.

We don't normally buy much of physical media anymore. Books, magazines, movies, music -- nowadays they are all available for digital download, rent, or from some streaming service. However, this DVD is a rare gem which absolutely deserves owning since it will be watched and listened over and over again. And the mini poster (size of three DVD boxes) you get with it is also a nice addition.Incidentally, I stumbled on some clips from this DVD on YouTube (obviously, in much lower quality) and that's how I learned that it was out. I just got it from Amazon and have been watching it over the holidays. I recommend you check it on YouTube first to realize how good it is and then come back and buy the DVD -- you won't regret it!Talk Talk actually sounds much better live than in the studio, especially the material from the first two albums (studio versions, although also good, used electronic heavily; on the stage they used more classical instruments including some exotic ones). It's also very possible that their music is more much suited for this type of performance. However, we cannot also underestimate the genius of Hollis, Webb and Harris who boldly extended their music far beyond synthesizers and "radio-friendly" tunes to a really deep musical art and a much deeper experience and, more importantly, were able to perform it flawlessly live on stage. Mark Hollis' amazing vocals are simply perfect, it really makes most of the modern singers laughable when you listen their attempts to sing live or use various voice enhancers and pitch correctors.Another very interesting thing is that they performed 11 songs and said good night. The audience chants brought them back to the stage for the encore and then they performed absolutely stunning versions of "I Don't Believe in You", "Such a Shame" and "Renée"! I don't know if this was planned but these three songs were among their best hits and not even including them in the "regular" song list was really really gutsy! But that's Talk Talk! You are not expected to rationalize, just to watch and enjoy.The passion and focus they exhibit on stage is really captivating, as another reviewer mentioned, just notice how they are completely spent after the show. It's like they knew that this was the last tour and wanted to go in the history with a style...